Group honors retired DeKalb school teacher with scholarship

A retired DeKalb County School District educator and author is being honored with a scholarship given in her name, The South Central Georgia chapter of The Drifters Inc. announced today.

Vanessa Fortenberry also was honored by the group with its Stars of the Universe award on June 12 for her commitment to children. The Drifters is a nonprofit group that focuses on education initiatives for youth and seniors in local communities.

Officials said the application for the $1,000 scholarship will be available on the group's Facebook page from Sept. 1 through Jan. 31. Any student registered at an accredited college or university is eligible.

Now an author, Fortenberry published the book “Mama, I Want to See God,” which focuses on faith.

“Through her musical talents, her tenure as a Georgia educator and now as an author, Vanessa has left an indelible mark on the lives of so many children,” said Frances Murray, scholarship committee co-chairman for the South Central Georgia chapter of The Drifters.

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